Olympic talent scouts to visit our region

The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) is on a mission to unearth and develop our region’s most talented athletes and prepare them for success in 2032.

If you are aged between 13 and 23 (Olympic sports) or 13 and 30 (Paralympic sports) you are eligible to take part in the QAS Youfor2032 testing sessions in Mackay, from June 14 to 16, 2022.

Mayor Greg Williamson applauded the Queensland Government’s introduction of Youfor2032, which is Australia’s largest ever athlete talent identification program.

“The Queensland-hosted Olympic Games may be a decade off, but council is already working to ensure the Mackay region is a big part of it,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Council is proud to foster the development of young athletes, sporting clubs and vital sporting infrastructure in our region, so it’s tremendous to have talent scouts from the Queensland Academy of Sport here for three days to work with our budding athletes,” he said.

Queensland Academy of Sport executive director, Talent and Coaching, Troy Ayres, encouraged young local athletes in Mackay to register online today for the chance to be tested at one of five sessions to be held in Mackay in June.

“Youfor2032 is about widening the net further and ensuring no stone is left unturned in providing aspiring athletes the opportunity to see how good they can be,” Mr Ayers said.

“The testing sessions unfold in partnership with schools, universities, councils and school sport districts to put young aspiring athletes through a series of speed, agility and endurance tests,” he said.

The quest for the best starts now, register for Youfor2032 today at youfor2032.initiatives.qld.gov.au/apply. Once you submit your application, there will be an opportunity to select your preferred testing session, location and time.

Emma McKeon, Youfor2032 Ambassador and 11-time Olympic medallist, and Taliqua Clancy, Dual Olympian and Tokyo 2020 Beach Volleyball Silver Medallist, are encouraging young athletes to take the leap and register for the QAS Youfor2032 program.

“I am incredibly excited to help the Queensland Academy of Sport, who have been pivotal in the road to my Olympic success, on their quest to find the next generation of medallists,” Ms McKeon said.

“We are on the hunt for young athletes with extraordinary sporting capabilities and I encourage aspiring local Olympians to register and give it a go – it could be you in 2032,” Ms Clancy added.